I propose to take Questions Nos. 356, 357, 358 and 359 together.
As the Deputies may be aware, the new and ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the previous Programme which expired at the end of 2022.
The new Programme will benefit farmers, rural communities and our overall climate and environment.
The new Programme is subject to State Aid approval under the Guidelines in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas from the European Commission. It is also subject to an ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment process, which is well advanced with my Department and their service partner Arup. The draft SEA Environmental Report acknowledges the economic impact of forestry and the commitment in the Forest Strategy Implementation Plan to the sector.
Once State Aid approval has been granted, the Strategic Environmental Assessment can be finalised, after incorporating any relevant outcomes of this process.